Monday, February 28, 2011

Just about every radio station has a Facebook page, as they should. In my own unscientific survey, I found that not that many stations use Twitter. I would use both, although Facebook is the most social of all networks in the universe. But there's a danger of overposting, according to a new report from Exact Target and CoTweet. Marketing Charts posts the warning that indicates 44% of Facebook users list this as a top reason for unliking a brand they once liked on Facebook. Close behind as a reason for unliking a brand is having an overcrowded wall. Forty-three percent mentioned that. Other leading reasons include content becoming boring and/or repetitive (38%) and only liking a company to take advantage of a one-time offer scored with 26%. For radio that would include "This is your last chance", "Only 5 copies remain", "You won't find this anywhere else" and the like, unless those claims are true. So how damaging is being unliked by Facebook users???

For one thing, it's not the end of the world. Report data show that a consumer's decision to "unlike" a company has surprisingly little impact on the perceived likelihood that they will buy or go back to that company in the future. Marketing Charts claims that 63% of consumers said they were likely or more likely to purchase or use something from a company after ending their Facebook relationship. Another 18% said they would only "unlike" a company if they never bought or went back to anything in the first place...

For radio, "unliking" is today's equivalent of "tuning out" and should be avoided. Why? Almost three in four (73%) online consumers have opened a Facebook account. Sixty-five percent are active Facebook users and 42% are fans. The fan percentage rises to 64% among Facebook users. That's why. Want more? Facebook represents the largest share of time spent by U.S. internet users of the top five most-visited websites, according to a new white paper from comScore. That's why...10 Timeline Memories:1.1854] Having a grand old time: The Republican Party is organized in Ripon (WI) when fifty opponents of slavery start the new political party…2.1960] Olympic gold: The U.S. wins its first Olympic gold medal in hockey with a 9-4win over Czechoslovakia at the Squaw Valley (CA) games...2010] Fifty-one years later the U.S. wins a record total of 37 medals as the Vancouver Olympics ends...3.1962] What should we call it?: WMGM in New York changes calls to WHN…4.1968] 'Happy Trails': Frankie Lymon, lead singer of the Teenagers overdoses on heroin at 25. What a tremendous loss this was. Had Frankie lived he would be headlining today...5.1983] M*A*S*Hing the competition: The final episode of “M*A*S*H” draws a household rating of 60.2%. Seen in over 50 million homes it was the highest rated show of all-time for nearly 27 years until Super Bowl XLIV drew a TV audience of 106.5 million on February 7, 2010. ”M*A*S*H” started in September, 1972…6.1986] Busted: Twenty-one major league players are fined or suspended includingKeith Hernandezand Dave Parkerin the largest drug scandal in baseball history. As you know, there's much more to come...7.1993] Wacko in Waco: U.S. Federal agents raid the compound of the Branch Davidians, lead by David Koresh in Waco (TX). The fifty-one day standoff will result in the killing of 4 agents and 6 Davidians, including Koresh in April…8.1994] Brady bill: The Brady Law, imposing a waiting period for hand-gun purchases goes into effect...9.2008] DC5 loses its heart and soul: Mike Smith, lead singer of the Dave Clark Five dies at 64 from pneumonia, a complication from an earlier fall…10.2009] The rest of the story: Paul Harvey, one of the greatest communicators and commentators in radio history, passed away at 90 of natural causes…Music Memories:

Happy Trails: He'll forever be remembered to Brooklynites as "The Dook Of Flatbush." Baseball Hall Of Famer, Duke Snider, died yesterday following an undisclosed illness at the age of 84. Snider played for the Dodgers in Brooklyn and Los Angeles for 16 years. He played his final two seasons for the Mets & San Francisco Giants, ending with a career batting average of .295 with 407 home runs and 1,333 RBI. Fans in New York during the '50s always compared Snider to Willie Mays and Mickey Mantle. All three would become members of the Hall of Fame...

Events: The Audio Engineering Society New York Section presents "Lies, Damned Lies & Specifications." The interactive presentation will be held Tuesday, March 8 from 6:30pm to 9:00pm at the New School for Jazz Performance, 55 West 13th Street in Manhattan. For more information, click on Facebook and do a search for the AES...

Friday, February 25, 2011

A three-judge panel hearing arguments in challenges to the FCC's media ownership rules in the Third Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia will either offer a ruling or decide to throw the whole thing back to the FCC. According to Media Access Project attorney Andrew Schwartzman and Broadcasting Cable, "they were clearly troubled by the arguments that we made about what the commission did wrong. We were coming at it from kind of opposite directions. It seems open to the possibility that they will just kind of throw up their hands." Schwartzman was arguing the case yesterday on behalf of those who say the move was too deregulatory...

The FCC had previously asked the court to remand the rules back to them given that there are three new commissioners - a majority - since the most recent 2007 rule rewrite. Judge Ambro wanted to know where the FCC stood on its quadrennial review of those rules, and asked whether the agency would continue that with the remand. Schwartzman says "So, it is really unclear whether they are going to do nothing or something, and if so, what." Just what we need, another body afraid to make a decision!!!

The judge should just bite the bullet and make a decision. Judge Ambro pointed out that when he wrote the original opinion back in 2004, he didn't expect it to come back to him seven years later. That opinion had remanded the rules back to the commission to better justify its deregulation. This triggered a series of hearings and studies, decisions, congressional confabs, and more legal challenges, leading to yesterday's latest chapter in a case with no ending. This is where our tax money is going???

10 Timeline Memories:1.1930] Go at the green - not in between: New York City installs traffic lights. Prior to that New Yorkers start what’s commonly known as ‘flipping the bird’ (2/26)…2.1950] Debuted on this date: “Your Show of Shows” debuts on NBC-TV. Sid Caesar, Imogene Coca, Carl Reiner and Howard Morris become household names. Woody Allen, Mel Brooks and Neil Simon were writers on the show (2/25)…3.1955] The ‘45′ rules: Billboard Magazine reports that the 45 rpm single is outselling 78’s for the first time (2/26)…4.1964] Eat your words: That’s what Cassius Clay told Sonny Liston after upsetting Liston to win the heavyweight crown. Liston couldn’t answer the bell for round 7 (2/25)…5.1982] Guilty as charged: Wayne B. Williamsis found guilty of murdering 2 of the 28 bodies found in the Atlanta area in a two-year period (2/27)…1990] The Exxon Corp. and Exxon Shipping are indicted on 5 criminal counts in reference to the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill (2/27)…6.1989] This Cowboy gets roped: After 29 seasons and 2 Super Bowl Championships as Dallas coach, Tom Landryis dumped by new Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. Jimmy Johnson replaces Landry (2/25)…7.1991] Saddam backs down: Iraq’s President Saddam Husseinorders his troops to withdraw from Kuwait (2/26)…8.1993] The first WTC bombing: Six are killed and more than one thousand injured when a van explodes in the World Trade Center parking garage. An act of terrorism by Islamic extremists and a precursor to something far worse in 2001 (2/26)…9.1997] Guilty as charged: A jury in Media (PA) convicts multimillionaire John E. DuPont of third-degree murder but decides he was mentally ill when killing world-class wrestler and neighbor, David Schultz(2/25)…2005] Municipal employee and church leader Dennis Raderis arrested for the BTK serial killings that terrorized Wichita, Kansas. Rader is now serving 10 years to life (2/25)…10.2008] “Happy Trails“: “Voice of the Pittsburgh Steelers” Myron Copepasses away from respiratory failure at 79 (2/27)…2008] Conservative author and commentator William F. Buckley Jr. is found slumped at his desk. His death at 82 is attributed to the results of emphysema and diabetes (2/27)…

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Social media's influence on local radio sales has become important enough for one of the leading research and advisory firms to launch a social media practice. BIA/Kelsey is launching Social Local Media (SLM), "a new advisory service dedicated to covering the growing and dynamic social media ecosystem and the best opportunities for driving revenues with social platforms," according to TV News Check. Recent research by the firm, in partnership with ConStat, shows 48% of small and medium-sized businesses use Facebook to advertise or promote their business, edging out email at 43%. One-quarter use other social networks, 22% have a blog, and 19% use Twitter to promote their company, according to Media Post...A separate study last week from Merchant Circle estimated the proportion of small businesses using Facebook even higher - at 70% - up from 50% a year ago and topping the two-thirds that use Google search advertising. Facebook clearly has become the place for radio to advertise socially, with Google and Twitter as alternatives...BIA/Kelsey may be the first but won't be the last to school radio in social media. It's all about growing local revenue from social media sources. BIA/Kelsey says "SLM was created to address the rapidly developing social segment." The firm estimates that social media will be a $23 billion digital advertising market in 2011. Radio stations not tapping into that revenue source will be left behind those smart enough to take advantage of the fastest growing segment of the advertising universe...

10 Timeline Memories:1.1868] Phat Tuesday: The first parade to use floats? The New Orleans Mardi Gras on this date…2.1903] Guantanamo-ra: An area in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba is leased to the U.S. for use as a naval base. The clock is ticking on GB under the Obama administration…3.1980] Winter Gold: The U.S. hockey team wins a gold medal after beating Finland 4-2 at the Lake Placid Winter Games…1994] Figure skater Oksana Baiulof the Ukraine injures her back in practice but two days later beats Nancy Kerrigan to win a gold medal at Lillehammer, Norway4.1981] Murder she wrote: Jean Harrisis convicted of murdering Scarsdale Diet Doctor (Tarnower). HBO makes a movie out of it in 2006…5.1987] The King and I: Larry Kingsuffers a heart attack requiring quintuple bypass surgery...6.1989] Is that plant moving?: Stalker Margaret Rayis found in David Letterman’s home in Connecticut claiming to be his wife. Letterman is not amused…7.1992] Wayne’s World: The movie starring Mike Myers and Dana Carvey opens in U.S. theaters. Schhhwiiiing!!!8.1994] Saturday Night Alive: Garrett Morrisis shot during a robbery but eventually recovers from his wounds...9.1998] “Happy Trails“: Legendary comedian Henny Youngmandies from pneumonia at 91...10.2009] Joint Session of Congress: President Barack Obama discusses the recently passed American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the Troubled Assets Relief Program, the state of the economy and the future of the country…

Book It: Veteran radio programmer Bill Young has written a radio book that everyone is talking about. It's called "Dead Air -- The Rise & Demise Of Music Radio." 'Dead Air' re-introduces the brilliant, and at times, outrageous personalities who changed both an industry - and a generation. To order your copy, click here...

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Not everyone thinks Cumulus Media is crazy to take on about $770 million in outstanding Citadel debt by paying $1.8 billion for the privilege. You know the people that love this deal? Brokers, that's who. Moody's, the investor service that owns a 40% share in the world credit rating market can't issue press releases fast enough over this pending deal. Moody's main competitor, Standard & Poor's is the color of money envious. To recap - terms of this blockbuster acquisition includes, according to Radio Ink, "Cumulus acquiring Citadel's 225 radio stations in over 50 markets and also the Citadel Media business, which is among the largest radio networks in the U.S. After giving effect to the proposed acquisition, Cumulus would operate about 570 radio stations and would be well-diversified given the combination of Cumulus, CMP Susquehanna and Citadel stations across 120 markets nationally." All for the bargain-basement price of $1.8 billion..."The $1.8 billion price will be financed by a combination of $500 million in equity financing from Crestview Partners and Macquarie Capital, and the assumption of about $770 million in outstanding Citadel debt, which is expected to be repaid." Moody's placed Cumulus Media ratings on review for a possible upgrade over the deal. "Moody's believes that the potential for lower leverage, synergies and favorable diversification from the proposed acquisition improves the financial profile of the company." ...What this proposed deal proves is that the financial world loves companies that assume $770 million in debt for a mere $1.8 billion. Is this a great country or what???

10 Timeline Memories:1.1822] Please come to Boston: The city of Boston is incorporated…2.1836] Remember the Alamo: The siege of the Alamo begins in San Antonio (TX)…3.1896] Rockin’ the Tootsie Roll: The Tootsie Roll is introduced by transplanted European Leo Hirshfield. The Tootsie Pop came along in 1931. Tell me there’s anything better than cherry TPs. Then there's this Tootsie Roll...4.1927] Let the fun begin: President Calvin Coolidge signs a bill creating the Federal Radio Commission. On July 1, 1934 the name will be changed to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)…5.1945] Raising the flag: U.S. Marines on Iwo Jima capture Mount Suribachi and raise the American Flag…6.1954] Salkin’ it to ya: The first mass inoculation of children against polio using the Salk vaccine begins in Pittsburgh…7.1983] Big Bucks for a Bulldog: Junior running back Herschel Walkerof Georgia becomes the highest paid player in football history when he signs a $1.5 million a year contract with Donald Trump’s New Jersey Generals of the USFL…8.1997] Madman goes berserk: A Palestinian madman opens fire on the observation deck of the Empire State Building, killing one person and wounding six before taking his own life. A classmate of my son Robert, Matt Gross was shot in the head and suffered permanent brain damage. Matt’s brother Daniel started a successful anti-violence group…9.1999] Guilty as charged: A jury in Jasper (TX) convicts white supremacist John William King of murder in the dragging death of a black man - James Byrd Jr…10.2003] Grammy Gold: Norah Joneswins 5 Grammy Awards for the LP "Come Away With Me."...Music Memories:

Events: The Smokin' Hit Songwriters Seminar/Retreat will be held March 18 - 20, 2011 at Jim Oliver's Smoke House, 850 West Main Street, Monteagle, TN. Festivities begin at 6:30pm on Friday, March 18. Registration is $150. For additional information, go to Facebook and do a search for the seminar...

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Pandora, the giant online music service with 80 million registered users has some sources nipping at its heels. No sooner had Pandora announced that they were about to issue an IPO seeking $100 million to expand, comes word that Apple is taking a 30% bite out of Pandora and others whose consumers download music from iTunes. It looks like Pandora has to worry more now about fees than it does satellite, internet or terrestrial competitors. While government regulators may come to Pandora's rescue by investigating Apple's exorbitant 30% tariff, the online music service has other obstacles facing it...According to UK's SkyNews and Inside Radio, Spotify is about to launch its subscription based, on-demand online music service in the United States. While Pandora executives don't consider Spotify much of a threat, it's still competition. Spotify will create a challenge to pureplay webcasters like Pandora and Slacker. It's been reported that London-based Spotify has already raised $100 million to take on America. Spotify has already signed with Sony and EMI and is currently in negotiations with the other two major labels to begin streaming in the U.S...

They may not take Spotify as a serious threat but Pandora has plenty to worry about. A company representative was recently quoted in arsstechnia.com about the threats they face: "In particular, if known incumbents in the digital media space such as Amazon, Apple, Facebook or Google choose to offer competing services, they may devote greater resources than we have available. They may enjoy a more accelerated time frame for deployment and leverage their existing user base and proprietary technologies to provide products and services that our listeners and advertisers may view as superior." ...

10 Timeline Memories:1.1856] Cue the elephant: The Republican Party opens its first national meeting in Pittsburgh…2.1879] Five and dime: Frank W. Woolworthopens his first ‘5 and 10 cent’ store in Utica (NY)…3.1959] Start your engines: The inaugural Daytona 500 race is won by Lee Petty, father of Richard Petty…4.1976] “Happy Trails“: Original Supreme,Florence Ballardis the victim of a fatal heart attack. At 32, she was living on welfare after being fired from the Supremes 9 years earlier. Ballard leaves 3 children…1987] Pop Art guru Andy Warhol dies from a heart attack in his sleep following gall bladder surgery. Warhol was 58…5.1980] Olympic Gold: Al Michaels makes the call: “Do you believe in miracles?” as the U.S. Hockey team beats the Russians in a semi-final game. Two nights later they beat Finland for the gold…6.1994] Gotcha: The Justice Department charges 31-year CIA veteran Aldrich Ames and his wife, Rosario, with selling national security secrets to the Soviet Union…7.1997] Hello Dolly: Scottish scientists announce that an adult sheep named Dolly had been successfully cloned. Dolly dies in 2003...8.2005] Plotted: A Virginia man was charged with plotting with al-Qaeda to kill President George W. Bush. Ahmed Omar Abu Aliis later convicted and sentenced to 30 years in prison…9.2006] Record heist: Thieves steal $96 million from a Bank of England cash depot near London in Britain’s largest cash robbery… 10.2009] Slumdog gold: Slumdog Millionaire wins 8 Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Director (Danny Boyle). Sean Penn wins Best Actor for Milk and Kate Winslet wins Best Actress for The Reader…

Music Memories:

1956] First and Ten: Elvis Presley has his first Pop Top 10 hit, "Heartbreak Hotel"...

Events:The Audio Engineering Society New York Section presents "Lies & Specifications" An Interactive Presentation on Tuesday, March 8. The presentation will be held from 6:30pm to 9:00pm at the New School for Jazz Performance, 55 West 13th Street in Manhattan. For addition information, do a Facebook search for Audio Engineering Society New York Section...

Book It: Donna Halper has written the definitive history of Boston radio. The book is called 'Boston Radio: 1920 - 2010' and it went on sale officially yesterday. Donna, noted radio historian and consultant uses rare photos from some of Boston's best-known air personalities to frame the story of the stations and announcers Bostonians have loved for decades. My copy is on the way and I can't wait to read it. To order your copy of 'Boston Radio: 1920 - 2010', click here...

Friday, February 18, 2011

So when does it make sense for one debt-ridden radio company to inherit more debt by merging with another debt-ridden radio company? All together now - NEVER! Donald Trump makes mistakes like many other investors but even The Donald wouldn't touch this one. If you haven't heard yet, Citadel Broadcasting has entered into an agreement for exclusive negotiations for a potential merger with Cumulus Media, Inc. which is bleeding cash like Citadel. Under the terms of a non-binding proposal, Cumulus would pay $37 in cash and stock for each Citadel share and warrant, according to Business Wire. The $37 per share consideration would on average be capped at $30 in cash and $14 in Cumulus stock...

As part of the proposal, Cumulus says that Crestview Partners and Macquarie Capital are expected to provide up to $500 million in equity financing. Cumulus expects to obtain the remainder of the cash necessary to fund the transaction through debt financing to be led by UBS Investment Bank, together with Macquarie Capital. You know who's happy about this proposed merger? The Banks!!!

So lets say both sides don't come to their senses and suffer their own debt alone, Cumulus with 347 stations in 67 U.S. media markets and Citadel with 225 stations in more than 50 markets would be one. A total of 572 stations but no growth, which is why you invest in a company to begin with. Why no growth? Because those 572 stations would be whittled down by a couple of hundred stations once the knife comes out. Both sides have announced that a definitive agreement is pending completion of due diligence and financing arrangements. I'll offer my own due diligence, free of charge. Don't do it!!!

10 Timeline Memories:1.1885] Never the Twain until today: Mark Twain’s “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” is published in the U.S. for the first time (2/18)…2.1878] Something to play your records on: Thomas Alva Edison patents a music player - the phonograph is born (2/19)…3.1931] Debuted on this date: Alka Seltzer is introduced with a “plop, plop, fizz, fizz” (2/21)…1947] Edwin Land demonstrates the Polaroid Land Camera to the Optical Society of America in New York City (2/21). It’s the first camera to take, develop and print a black and white print in 60 seconds. The camera will go on sale in 1948...4.1953] Splendid indeed: Ted Williams, a Marine pilot since 1951, escapes after crash-landing his F-9 Panther after being hit in Korea. He climbs down from the cockpit just before the plane explodes (2/19)…5.1962] Going in circles: John Glennmakes space history, orbiting the earth 3 times to become the first American to orbit the earth aboard ‘Friendship 7′ (2/20)…6.1965] In cold blood: Malcolm X is assassinated at the Audubon Ballroom in Manhattan at the age of 39 (2/21). Three Black Muslims are charged and jailed for the murder…2002] The State Department declares Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearldead, one month after he had been abducted by Islamic extremists in Pakistan (2/21)…2006] Curt Gowdyloses his long battle with leukemia at 86 (2/20). Curt's funeral procession circles Fenway Park before he's interred...7.1970] Guilty as charged: Five of the “Chicago 7″ are found guilty of intent to incite a riot at the 1968 Democratic National Convention. The convictions are later overturned. Abbie Hoffman was the poster child for the Chicago 7 (2/18)…8.1972] China bound:President Richard M. Nixonbegins his historic visit to China (2/21)...9.2001] “Happy Trails“:Dale Earnhardtdies from injuries suffered in a crash at the Daytona 500. Earnhardt was 49 (2/18)…10.2008] Adios Fidel:Fidel Castroannounces his resignation as president of Cuba. Brother Raul succeeds him (2/19)...

1981] Sound familiar?: George Harrison is ordered to pay ABKCO Music $587,000 for "subconscious plagiarism" which surpasses "temporary insanity" as a defense, between his song, "My Sweet Lord" & "He's So Fine" (2/19)...

Thursday, February 17, 2011

When it comes to loyalty, website users aren't very - according to a new Borrell Associates study. On average, 55% of the visitors to locally oriented news and information websites are neither local nor loyal but instead are readers from outside of the market and "fly-bys" unlikely to return frequently, says Harry A. Jessell of NetNewsCheck. While this was a study of news and information website loyalty, it doesn't bode well for radio station websites either. On average, about 30% of the visitors don't live in the market and about 25% of the page views are by "fly bys" who may not return for another year, if ever, according to the study, which is based on surveys of site visitors conducted over the past two years and some "complicated math." Let's hope it's not as complicated as NFL quarterback ratings...The study concludes that "a site that tells local advertisers it has 500,000 monthly unique visitors should probably be forthright and start saying it reaches about 100,000 local people." That's because the study found the average local website unique visitor count overstates the number of actual local people coming to the site by a factor of five. The study also says that as long as websites sell advertisers on the basis of page views, there's little concern about not knowing the true size, composition and behaviors of users. Overcounts of unique visitors is a fact of life on the web, according to the study...The challenge for all radio websites is exactly the same as it is for the stations posting them. You always want consumers to keep them coming back for more. Not only is it necessary to have a great sounding radio station, but your website better be just as great and packed with social and interactive data that consumers will keep coming back for...

10 Timeline Memories:1.1801] Heads it’s Jefferson, tails, it’s Burr: The U.S. House of Representatives breaks an electoral tie between Thomas Jeffersonand Aaron Burrby picking Jefferson as President and Burr as his VP…2.1913] Art replaces war: The Armory Show opens at the 69th Regiment Armory in Manhattan with paintings and sculpture on display. This show continues to be held yearly at the same Armory…3.1933] TIME is not on their side: Newsweek is published for the 1st time…4.1947] VOA is born: The Voice of America begins its broadcasts to the Soviet Union…5.1968] Hooping it up: The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame opens to the public for the first time in Springfield (MA)…6.1986] Oh Howard: Howard Sterntakes over the morning show on K-Rock in New York…7.1992] Murder Inc: In Milwaukee, mass murderer Jeffrey Dahmeris sentenced to life in prison. In November of 1994 he is beaten to death in prison…1995] LIRR killer Colin Fergusonis convicted on six counts of murder in the December, 1993 shootings. Ferguson will later be sentenced to a minimum of 200 years in prison. No tears are shed over either of these two sentences…8.1996] Deeply blue: World chess champion Garry Kasparovbeats Deep Blue, the IBM supercomputer in Philadelphia on what would have been IBM founder Thomas Watson’s 122nd birthday. Deep Blue gets revenge when it beats Kasparov in 1997. IBM computer, Watson just finished beating the pants of all former Jeopardy champs Ken Jennings & Brad Rutter...9.2008] Kosovo Nation: Kosovo declares itself a nation in defiance of Serbia and Russia...10.2009] The first of many: President Barack Obama signs a $757 billion economic stimulus package into law...Music Memories:

1966] Recorded on this date: Brian Wilsonbegins recording "Good Vibrations"...

1955] Resume to follow: Little Richardsends his first audition tape to Specialty Records. It worked. He's signed by the label...

1976] Released on this date: "Greatest Hits" LP - Eagles. And it's still selling...

Events: Make plans now to attend the Smokin' Hit Songwriters Seminar/Retreat March 18 -20, 2011. The seminar will be held at Jim Oliver's Smoke House, 850 West Main Street in Monteagle (TN). Admission is $150. For additional information go to Facebook and search for "Smokin' Hit Songwriters Seminar"...

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

There are arguments for radio apps being just another add-on that will draw some interest but just be another selling point for smartphones. Then there are those who think that radio apps can help save radio. Steven Ludwig, president of Verge Radio Network, a syndicator of radio content, who has some self-interest involved, is pro-app. Ludwig tells Mike Stern of Media Life that "Smartphones could do for radio what the Sony Walkman did in the '80s. Radio became portable and we saw growth in AQH (Average Quarter Hour) and cume (cumulative audience)." Then there's Jeff McPherson, co-editor of ThinkMobile.com, a website focused on mobile devices and applications who is of the opinion that apps are just a craze - nothing more than that...McPherson argues that "People are not tuning out of terrestrial radio because they can't get radio on their phones. They are tuning out because the programming on radio is not as appealing as what is available to listeners in other ways. If terrestrial radio stations simply stream what they broadcast, most people will not be attracted because that has the same limitations that currently exist with over-the-air radio." If they're not listening to you on a regular radio, why would listening on a smartphone make it any better. No argument there...Ludwig, who is pro-app, offers this warning - "What we have found is that the ability to listen is only a small fraction of why somebody would download a mobile app and keep using it. Listeners love the ability to engage with the hosts and with each other through a mobile app." On the other hand, radio in combination with the internet makes a very strong one-two punch. Mobile apps can act like a mini-website that is way easier to maintain." It should be noted that a recent study by Localytics revealed that more than 25% of the apps downloaded in 2010 were used only once. Radio had better give listeners a reason to stay longer than that...10 Timeline Memories:1.1868] Benevolent and Protective: ‘The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks’ is formed in New York City (what the devil does the BPOE do besides being benevolent and protective???)…2.1883] Ladies Day: The Ladies Home Journal begins publication. Their first issue is a shocker: ‘Are hems on bathing suits being raised to above the ankles?’ Say it isn’t so…3.1948] A new career for Ed Herlihy: NBC-TV begins airing its first nightly newscast featuring Fox and Movietone newsreels…4.1959] Have a cigar: Fidel Castroseizes power in Cuba after the overthrow of President Fulgencio Batista…5.1968] My old stomping grounds gets famous: The first 911 emergency telephone system is inaugurated in Haleyville (AL) where I started my radio career at WJBB at 18…6.1970] The winner and new champ: Joe Frazierbegins his reign as undefeated heavyweight champ by knocking out Jimmy Ellis in 5 rounds. Frazier keeps his title until losing it to George Foreman in January, 1973. It will be Frazier’s first professional defeat…7.1982] “D-I-V-O-R-C-E“: Lee Majors and Farrah Fawcettsay “I don’t”, divorcing after separating in 1979. The marriage lasted almost 9 years…1989] Jane Fondaand Tom Haydensplit up after 16 years of marriage…8.1984] Winter gold: 23-year oldBill Johnsonbecomes the first American to win Olympic downhill skiing gold at Sarajevo…9.2005] Hockeys gone, eh?: The NHL cancels the remainder of its season after a round of last-gasp negotiations fail to resolve differences over a salary cap - the issue that led to a lockout...10.2009] Mauling: A 200-lb. chimpanzee severely mauls its owner's friend before being shot dead by Stamford (CT) police...Music Memories:

1964] Beatles Return: The Beatlesreturn for their second appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show." They made their first appearance one week earlier. For their second appearance the Fab Four sing 6 songs ("She Loves You", "This Boy", "All My Lovin", "I Saw Her Standing There", "From Me To You" and their number one hit, "I Want To Hold Your Hand"). Part 2 Beatles...Part 3 Beatles...Part 4 Beatles...Part 5 Beatles...Part 6 Beatles...

Events:The New York Section of the Audio Engineering Society presents "Lies, Damned Lies & Specifications", an interactive presentation on Tuesday, March 8 from 6:30pm to 9:00pm. The presentation will be held at the New School For Jazz Performance, 55 West 13th Street in Manhattan. For additional information, search for "Audio Engineering Society New York Section" on Facebook...

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

NPR may lose federal funding but NPR CEO/President Vivian Schiller won't go down without a fight. Schiller warned House Republicans that cutting off the annual subsidy could result in the shut down of some or all of the 900 public radio stations, according to Fox News. A new budget for the remainder of fiscal year 2011, which ends September 30, includes nothing for NPR. Republicans say the network's liberal agenda silences any other points of view. Opponents of that view cite the removal of Fox News Channel contributor Juan Williams last fall as an example of its intolerance. Williams, you might recall told Bill O'Reilly that he "gets worried and nervous" when he sees someone in Muslim garb when he's flying. Juan Williams is no longer welcome at NPR, thanks to that quote...Schiller warned that radio stations in rural and underserved areas offer "more than 38 million Americans with free over-the-air programming they can't find anywhere else" but she wasn't through in her attempt to save NPR federal funding. "The public values and increasingly relies of the trustworthy news and information that public radio provides. The growing number of public radio listeners speaks to the hunger for independent local media sources that help make sense of what's going on in their own community and around the world." ...Schiller raised some sensible issues - some legitimate, others self-serving. Although zero funding would hurt NPR, it wouldn't bury it. NPR has a ton of listeners who love the network enough to support it, especially in major markets. Where it would hurt the most is in smaller markets. House Republicans should take that into consideration when they take their razor out...

10 Timeline Memories:1.1903] Oh won’t you be my teddy bear: Russian immigrants Morris and Rose Michtom introduce the first teddy bear to America. Vermont Teddy Bear took over from there...2.1933] Dodging a bullet: President-elect Franklin D. Roosevelt escapes an assassination attempt in Miami that claims the life of Chicago MayorAnton J. Cermak...3.1936] Olympic Gold: Sonja Henieof Norway wins her 3rd straight gold medal at the German Winter games...4.1965] “Happy Trails“: Nat “King” Colepasses away from lung cancer at 46. Cole was a heavy smoker…5.1965] Oh Canada: Canada's new maple leaf flag was unfurled in ceremonies in Ottawa...6.1989] Last one out - turn out the lights: The Soviet Union announces that the last of its troops has left Afghanistan after more than 9 years of military intervention...7.2002] Justice served: Canadian pairs figure skaters Jamie Sale and David Pelletierare awarded a gold medal to resolve a judging controversy at the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City...8.2005] Slam the door: Defrocked priest Paul Shanleyis sentenced in Boston to 12 to 15 years in prison on child rape charges...9.2005] YouTube sees the light: YouTube is launched in the U.S. 6 years later YT is bigger than ever...10.2008] Declared dead: American businessman, aviator and adventurer Steve Fossett is declared legally dead after missing since September 3, 2007. Fossett was 63…Music Memories:

Events:The Smokin' Hit Songwriters Seminar/Retreat will be held March 18 - 20, 2011 at Jim Oliver's Smoke House, 850 West Main Street, Monteagle (TN). Registration is $150. For additional information, go to Facebook and do a search for "Smokin' Hit Songwriters Seminar"...

Monday, February 14, 2011

As Pandora files its Initial Public Offering, hoping to raise $100 million, founder Tim Westergren declares war on terrestrial radio. "Traditional radio stations broadcast the same content at the same time to all of their listeners." That's Westergren's opening shot, according to Radio Ink. And Westergren didn't stop there. "We enable each of our listeners to create up to 100 personalized stations. Traditional radio programmers have always shied away from even letting an in-studio DJ vary from the format. Can you imagine what they would say if callers wanted to program songs? How many times has the PD said this during a 'request hour?'. They only play the songs in the format. And here is Pandora making a life out of such consumer-driven lunacy. It's a dilemma." ...

Westergren's plan of attack is to outline the differences between Pandora and terrestrial radio. The plan includes a boast of redefining radio and personalizing it to a one-to-one radio listening experience." Westergren, a great salesman, hopes to show Pandora's competitive strengths will help his company "realize the potential of our opportunity." Those are the things you say when you're trying to raise $100 million in public shares. What Westergren won't tell you is that the company has lost $83.9 million since its inception and remains unprofitable, according to Friday's IPO filing. In the first nine months of its last fiscal year. Pandora suffered a $328,000 loss on revenue of $90.1 million, according to Huffington Post...Another thing Westergren can't tell you is that Pandora can ever be local or free. Pandora is an excellent music service but it's not a local radio station and never will be. Advantage: Terrestrial Radio...

10 Valentine's Day Timeline Memories:1.1918] Me Tarzan...you Jane: "Tarzan of the Apes" is released...2.1919] What can brown do for you?: United Parcel Service is formed...3.1924] The real Big Blue: IBM is founded by Thomas Watson...4.1929] Happy Valentine's Day: The 'St. Valentine's Day Massacre' in Chicago takes 7 lives. All of the mobsters were rivals of Al Capone...5.1932] Winter Gold: The U.S. wins the first bobsled competition at Lake Placid...6.1984] Winter Gold Too: Jayne Torvil and Christopher Deanof Britain win a gold medal in pairs figure skating at Sarajevo...7.1952] Valentine Wedding Bells: Comedian Joey Adams marries gossip columnist Cindy Heller. They were married until Adams died in 1999 (47 years)...1984] Elton John and Renata Blauel crawl down the aisle. This marriage lasts 4 years incredulously...1994] The Grateful Dead's Jerry Garcia marries Deborah Koons. They stay married until Jerry's death in 1995...1995] Roseanne Barrmarries bodyguard Ben Thomas. They divorce in 2002...1996] Prince and Mayte Garcia exchange vows. The marriage is annulled in 1999 but they partied like it was '1999' from '96 through '98...8.1962] Hi, I'm Jackie your tour guide: First ladyJacqueline Kennedy gives us a televised tour of the White House...9.1989] No green bananas for you: Iran's Ayatollah Khomeini advises Salman Rushdie not to buy any green bananas as he calls on Muslims to kill the author of "The Satanic Verses". Salman Rushdie lives despite the death warrant...10.2007] Nor'easter: It will be called "The Valentine's Day Blizzard". It starts on February 12th and won't end until February 20th. It peaks on Valentine's Day, killing 37 and dumping 48" of snow in Stowe, Vermont. The storm affects the east coast from Philadelphia to New England and midwest from Nebraska to Ohio...Music Memories:

1977] Valent-Ian Day: Janis Ian receives hundreds of Valentine's Day cards after she reveals that she never received any in her teens, in the song, "At Seventeen"...

1983] Number One on this date: "Baby Come To Me" - Patti Austin and James Ingram. The song became a hit when it was featured on "General Hospital"...

Events:The New Music Seminar is in Los Angeles tonight through Wednesday. Opening events start at 6:00pm. The Seminar is being held at the Sheraton Universal Hotel on Hollywood Drive in Universal City. For additional information, go to Facebook and "search" for New Music Seminar...

Friday, February 11, 2011

Not only is right-wing talk dying as mentioned by John Avlon in his insightful post in The Daily Beast but all political talk is on life support. When Inside Radio conducted an online survey on the subject, 49% said they believe listeners are tiring of non-stop political talk. "One reader says, Not only are listeners tiring of non-stop political bashing, left and right, it's no longer relevant and entertaining - it's like hearing the same seven 'A' rotation hits replayed over and over for five years." Another respondent replies "Enough of the right versus left - conservative vs. liberal - we need more local content giving local listeners a chance to interact and aid their community." "Revenue isn't always commensurate with ratings either - one poll particpant suggests: We are always asked to keep ads away from national talk shows." ...There are those that believe it's not the message that's getting old, it's the messenger. "It really comes down to talent, no matter what topic they are talking about. If on-air talent is top shelf, people will listen", according to one respondent. But even "top shelf" talent is showing burnout. Rush Limbaugh's ratings dipped from 5.4 to 5.0 on WABC. Sean Hannity and Mark Levin, who follow rush on WABC narrowly declined and flat-lined, respectively. Philadelphia dropped Hannity and Beck last month. Beck also lost Salt Lake City. If you're thinking that liberal or progressive talk has won - think again...There are fewer than 100 liberal/progressive formated radio stations following Air America's demise a year ago. Sean Hannity and Rush Limbaugh combined have more affiliates than that. So, how many listeners would radio lose if political talk left the airwaves? Pew researchers have found that only 17% of the public regularly listens to talk radio, which means that 83% don't...10 Timeline Memories:1.1635] School bells ring and children sing: Boston Public Latin is founded. It is our nation's first public school. The school will open on April 23, 1635 (2/13)...2.1968] Adding MSG: The new Madison Square Garden officially opens. The 4th Garden holds nearly 20,000 and celebrates its 43rd anniversary today (2/11)…3.1976] Murder in Hollywood: 37-year old actor Sal Mineois found murdered in his driveway, the victim of a botched robbery attempt(2/12)…4.1976] Gold Standard: Dorothy Hamillwins a gold medal at the Winter Olympics and captures the hearts of Americans with her youthful innocence, good looks and flawless style (2/13)…5.1979] Ayatollyahso: Followers of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeiniseize power in Iran 9 days after the religious leader returns after 15 years of exile (2/11)…6.1982] It’s blowin’ in the Winds: ABC-TVs presentation of “The Winds of War” concludes. The 18-hour miniseries cost $40 million to produce but is the most watched TV program in history at the time (2/11)…7.1990] Free at last: South African activist Nelson Mandelais freed after 27 years in prison (2/11)…8.2006] Did you forget to duck?: VP Dick Cheneyaccidentally shoots and wounds a companion during a weekend quail-hunting trip to Texas (2/11)…9.2006] Nor’easter: A powerful Nor’easter blankets the Northeast dumping 1 to 2 feet of snow from Washington, D.C. to New England. We got an exaggerated 26.9″ of snow, an all-time record in New York (2/12)…10.2009] Plane goes down: Cogan Air Flight 3407 crashes in Clarence Center, New York, killing 50 (2/12)...Music Memories:

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Now that social media has radio's undivided attention and support, there is some concern over who benefits more - radio or Facebook? Why it should matter is beyond me but the headlines pose the question, nevertheless. What the advent of social media has done in just a short period of time is give everyone a voice - an opinion. "The advent of social media (and online publishing) has dramatically highlighted the importance of understanding the mechanics of the two-way conversation between a brand and the consumer," Chris Moerdyk, head of strategic planning and public affairs for BMW South Africa tells Biz Community. Moerdyk adds "because virtually every marketing communications medium, consisted of a one-way conversation, not many strategists and copywriters worried too much about consumer response - simply because there wasn't any." Whether it's an ad or just ordinary radio content, that one-way conversation has been "socialized" into a two-way conversation...

"It doesn't matter whether it is Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Radio, TV or print advertisements. Quite simply, consumers have now got so used to responding to messages that no longer do they simply accept an advertising message, commercial SMS (short message service), or tweet, for example, but subconsciously reply without possibly even realising that they are replying. Talking back has become a consumer imperative. What happens, in effect, is that the basics of human communication are now major influencing factors in marketing" says Moerdyk. He adds, "In every conversation there are keywords that act as triggers. And when these triggers are activated in the mind of the consumer, the conversation stops right there and a reaction takes place." ...

To put it in simple terms, the influence of social media has changed the ground rules. To paraphrase Marshall McLuhan, the medium is now a two-way message. Get used to it...

10 Timeline Memories:1.1870] Not celebrated in song: The YWCA is founded in New York City. I always thought there should’ve been an answer hit to the Village People’s “YMCA” by a group called the Village Girls and titled “YWCA“…2.1897] The Gray Lady: The New York Times begins printing the slogan, “All the News That’s Fit to Print”, upper-left, front page. 114-years later it’s still there…3.1933] Hmmmmmm: The singing telegram is introduced by the Postal Telegram Company of New York City. Roughly 53 trillion terrible birthday songs will follow...4.1942] That sinking feeling: The Normandie, the former French liner capsizes in New York Harbor after catching fire while being fitted for the U.S. Navy the day before…5.1968] Ice queens:Peggy Flemingwins a gold medal in women’s figure skating at the Winter Olympics in Grenoble, France…1992] Bonnie Blairwins gold in 500-meter speed skating at Albertville, France becoming the first woman to win gold medals in consecutive Winter Olympics…6.1981] Death in the casino: Fire breaks out at the Las Vegas Hilton hotel-casino, killing 8 and injuring 198…7.1992] “Happy Trails“: “Roots” author Alex Haley dies of a heart attack at 70…2005] Playwright Arthur Millersuccumbs to heart failure at 89…2008] Veteran actor Roy (”Jaws”) Scheiderdies from a staph infection at 75. Scheider had previously been treated for multiple myeloma…8.1992] Guilty as charged: Mike Tysonis convicted in Indianapolis of raping a Miss Black America contestant...9.2005] The arms race: North Korea publicly announces for the first time that it has nuclear arms…10.2007] Vote for me: Senator Barack Obama(D-Ill) announces his bid for president…

Events: The Smokin' Hit Songwriters Seminar/Retreat will take place March 18 - 20, 2011 at Jim Oliver's Smoke House, 850 West Main Street, Monteagle (TN). Registration is $150 per person. Additional information is available on Facebook. You can search "Smokin' Hit Songwriters Seminar"...

Book It: Bill Young, Director of Programming for the legendary KILT AM/FM Houston, has written a new book titled "Dead Air - The Rise & Demise of Music Radio." In it, Bill takes us on a "deeply personal tour through back rooms, control rooms and memories long remembered." For more information on the book and to learn get a copy, click here. Bill was one of the most respected program directors of all-time and has been a radio bud of mine since the 60s...

Timeline Countdown: 3 days until pitchers & catchers report, 4 days until Valentines Day, 11 days until Presidents' Day, 31 days until Daylight Savings Time (forward one hour) & 38 days until the beginning of spring...

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

After announcing that national radio business finished up 17.7% in 2010, Katz Radio Group President Mark Gray says January is off to a "soft" start. First the good news. The national spot radio market bounced back with a very strong year in 2010. Gray says "Following an exceptionally weak 2009 that was hurt by the recession, the advertising recovery took hold with strong category gains across all regions of the country. National Spot Radio ended 2010 up 17.7% from a year earler, as sales were lifted by robust demand across auto, telecomm, retail, consumer products, entertainment and an extremely active political season in the run-up to November's elections", according to Radio Ink...Katz says national billings were down last month compared to one year ago but there's apparently no reason for panic. Inside Radio reminds us that the start of the year is never a big time for advertisers, and a succession of winter storms has slowed the overall economy and has impacted radio too...The biggest supporters of national radio in 2010, per category might give radio some clues as to who to pitch locally. While the big ad houses control national accounts, there is always local business to be had with similar advertisers. In Automotive, the top 3: O'Reilly Auto Parts & Honda. In Consumer Products: Pfizer, Panera Bread & Epson America. In Retail: Safeway Stores, Wal*Mart & Super Valu. And in Finance: Geico, United Services Auto Association & American Family Insurance. There's business out there locally, if you look hard enough... 10 Timeline Memories:1.1825] Flip a coin: The U.S. House of Representatives elects John Quincy Adams president after no candidate receives a majority of electoral votes…2.1870] Undulating patterns and circular swirls arrive: The U.S. Weather Bureau is authorized by Congress. It’s officially known as the National Weather Service…3.1895] Bikinis to follow: The game of volley ball is invented by W.G. Morgan in Holyoke (MA)…4.1942] Time has come today: Daylight-savings ‘War Time’ goes into effect. This year DST begins Sunday, March 13, 2011 when we turn clocks ahead one hour…5.1950] Better dead than red: Senator Joseph McCarthycharges that the State Department is filled with Communists as we usher in that fun era - McCarthyism…6.1971] Third time is the charm: Apollo 14 returns to earth after man’s 3rd landing on the moon...7.1971] Don’t look back, someone might be gaining on you: Satchel Paigebecomes the first Negro League player elected to Baseball’s Hall of Fame…8.1973] “Happy Trails“: Max Yasgurwho owned the farm where the original Woodstock took place, dies of a heart attack at 53…1981] Bill Haleysuffers a fatal heart attack at his home in Harlingen, Texas. Haley was 56…2002] Britain’s Princess Margaretsuffers a fatal massive stroke at 71…9.1997] Homer the Hero: “The Simpsons” passes “The Flintstones” as the longest running prime-time animated series...10.2009] Hall of what?: New York Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguezadmits taking banned substances from 2001 to 2003...

Events: ...The New Music Seminar will be in Los Angeles February 14-16, 2011 at the Sheraton Universal Hotel in Universal City. Events start Monday at 6pm. For additional information on NMS, go to Facebook and do a search for "The New Music Seminar"...

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

While website streaming remains free, listening to radio on mobile devices will cost you. CBS joins a growing list of providers to charge a subscription price for mobile device usage. Starting February 15, CBS will require a $3 monthly charge for listening to Last.FM. While $3 may not be a lot for what will become a paid app, this is not the best way to encourage radio listening on mobile devices, is it? CBS claims that cost-prohibitive streaming music royalties is forcing their hand. "We believe our radio - whether it's a personalized station or artist and tag radio - is the best in the world and we're proud of the depth and range of our catalogue of music from major labels, indies and unsigned artists." ...

CBS adds this: "We're committed to building Last.FM into a bigger service that gives listeners the best music discovery experience anywhere while financially supporting and promoting the artists who make the music we love." Last.FM said the reason for the new fees is because while the website platform allows for an ad-supported model, it just doesn't make sense on smartphones, some gaming consoles and other home entertainment devices. At least those who pay to play won't have any commercials to listen to. The other features like music and event recommendations, social networking, wiki-based artist pages and scrobbling will remain free. Last.FM uses a music recommender system called "audioscrobbler." ...Techland reports that in addition to Last.FM - you are either, or soon will be, paying for listening to radio on Android, iPhone, Windows Mobile 7 and Squeezebox. That list will grow in the days ahead. Will consumers be chased away by the fees and search for free radio apps to listen to? My educated guess is that the radio sources that remain free will get lots of new mobile listeners... 10 Timeline Memories:1.1910] On my honor: The Boy Scouts of America is incorporated…2.1915] Giving birth: Director D.W. Griffith’s civil war epic, “Birth Of A Nation” premieres at Clune’s Auditorium in Los Angeles. The three-hour silent movie cost $100,000, a fortune in 1915…3.1922] On the radio: Warren G. Hardingbecomes the first president to have a radio installed in the White House. We like Harding...4.1968] Death on the highway: Three college students die in a confrontation with highway patrolmen in Orangeburg (SC) during a civil rights protest...5.1980] Charlie Rangel is pleased: President Jimmy Carter unveils a plan to re-introduce draft registration. Fortunately this movement never materializes. Rangel is a long time proponent of the draft...6.1990] “Happy Trails“: Singer Del Shannondies from a self-inflicted gun shot wound at 50…2005] Former Epic Records head of promotion, Al Gurewitzpasses away from bladder cancer at 73…2007] Legendary singer Frankie Lainedies of heart failure at 93…2007] Anna Nicole Smithdies from ‘combined drug intoxication’ at 39…7.1993] So sue me: General Motors sues NBC, alleging that 'Dateline NBC' had rigged two crashes to show the GM pickups were prone to fires. NBC settles the lawsuit the following day...8.1996] Cyberspace: The largest one day online event to-date brings together the world's top photographers, editors, programmers and interactive designers to create a digital time capsule of online life. It's called "24 Hours in Cyberspace"...9.1999] Clinton's trials and tribulations: The Senate hears closing arguments in President Bill Clinton'simpeachment trial...10.2010] Guilty as charged:Dr. Conrad Murrayis charged with involuntary manslaughter in Michael Jackson's death...Music Memories:

1961] Number One on this date: "Calcutta" - Lawrence Welk...1981] "Celebration" - Kool & The Gang...

An Italian Valentine's Day Concert will be held Sunday, February 13, 2011 from 3pm-6pm, at John Cranford Adams Playhouse, 118 Hofstra University in Hempstead. The show stars Jenna Esposito, Uncle Floyd & Tony B. For tickets and additional information, call 516-889-2229...

About Me

Mel Phillips Now & Then is more Now. The Then always follows the Now. Prior to starting 'Remembers' in 2005 and 'Now & Then' on April 7, 2008 I enjoyed a multi-media career which included being one of the Bill Drake program directors. I was involved in the programming of such legendary stations as WOR-FM, WXLO-FM, WNBC, WRKO AM & FM and KQV. I was also General Manager of Hooper Radio, played disc jockey in markets such as Tampa, Nashville, Norfolk and Atlantic City and enjoyed marketing success in syndicated radio for several companies including ABC, MJI and United Stations. My background also includes the music business where I promoted such diverse CBS acts as The Clash, Gloria Estefan, Loverboy, Judas Priest, George Michael & Julio Iglesias. In Special Programming at WCBS-FM I wrote and produced numerous specials and interviewed some of the biggest recording stars. In addition to this post I'm a regular contributor to Radio Daily News. My wife Diane and I reside on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and I'm very proud of my children, Robert Phillips, Lynn Phillips Brough and granddaughters Allyson and Amy...